Republicans appear short on votes to repeal Obamacare
Even with an apparent "yes" vote from Arizona's new senator Jon Kyl, it appears Republicans still don't have the numbers they need—nor, it appears, the interest to try to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the Associated Press reported.
Republicans on Capitol Hill indicated they were not interested in revisiting legislation that was defeated last year with a notable "no" vote from the late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., even with a potential yes vote from Kyl. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told the AP he has ruled out bringing up the healthcare fight before the midterms, in part because of the number of other bills including spending measures Congress is already focused on. (Associated Press article)
20 patient and physician groups urge CMS to protect patients who use oxygen
A coalition made up of 20 patient and physician groups, including the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, is urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to protect patients who use supplemental oxygen. The organizations, which submitted comments on a proposed rule for durable medical equipment and its application to supplemental oxygen, want CMS to remove liquid oxygen from its competitive bidding requirements.
“Our organizations recognize that CMS’s proposal will not ultimately solve the problems facing patients—especially those who require liquid oxygen—and today, are urging CMS to remove liquid oxygen from competitive bidding requirements,” the groups wrote. (Announcement)
Oak Street Health purchases neighborhood clinics in Philadelphia
Oak Street Health, a network of primary care centers that operates on a value-based care model providing services to Medicare-eligible adults, has expanded with four new neighborhood clinics in Philadelphia.
Oak Street purchased the Medicare operations of CityLife Neighborhood Clinics and will serve patients with Medicare and Medicare Advantage at four of its centers. The acquisition expands on Oak Street Health’s entry into the Philadelphia market, with three existing locations. In addition to seven Philadelphia-area locations, Oak Street operates 40 other locations in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. (Announcement)
Gag clauses' measure advances in House
The House Energy and Commerce health subcommittee approved legislation to bar Medicare and private health plans from blocking pharmacists' ability to inform enrollees when a drug would cost less if they paid cash instead of using their insurance. The measure is meant to address so-called gag clauses in some health insurance contracts.
The subcommittee also passed a draft bill to give the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, or MEDPAC—which advises Congress on Medicare issues—access to drug rebate information. (Washington Examiner article)